Peruvian defender Juan Vargas is close to completing a £1.6m move to Portsmouth - with a glowing recommendation from his international team-mate, Newcastle's Nolberto Solano.

Vargas, first seen in action by Pompey manager Harry Redknapp on a DVD
recording, has flown into England after meeting club representatives in Madrid
and it seems a deal will be done if the 22-year-old passes a medical.

It would be Redknapp's first cash-signing of the summer having added only
Chelsea right back Glen Johnson and Wigan reject David Thompson to the payroll
on season-long deals since new owner Sacha Gaydamak agreed to sanction a
reported £30million-plus transfer budget.

Vargas told the Portsmouth News: 'I still have to complete a medical before I
sign.

'I know Portsmouth were fighting relegation last season but they are trying
to build a good team.'

And Vargas has already been voted a massive Premiership hit by Newcastle
midfield star, his Peru team-mate who said: 'A person called me who works
directly with the Portsmouth manager. As a person and player, Vargas is
excellent and I gave good references on him.'

Vargas' arrival will put pressure on left back Matt Taylor who starred in
Pompey's great escape from relegation last season.

Right back Brian Priske, the Danish star who also played a key-part in the
survival-run under Redknapp, has already returned to Belgium and joined Club
Brugge, having previously been bought by former manager Alain Perrin from FK
Genk.

And another Perrin signing, centre back Andy O'Brien, has been told he also
has no place in next season's plans.

The £2million former Newcastle defender is interesting Birmingham and Derby
after making 32 starts last season before a hamstring injury ended his season.